When Catherine Zeta-Jones received a recent diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, a mental illness marked by prolonged periods of depression alternating with episodes of mild mania, she didn’t hesitate to step forward with the news.

“This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them,” the actress, 41, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement in this week’s cover story. “If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it. There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help.”

In early April, the Oscar-winning wife of actor Michael Douglas, 66, and mom to son Dylan, 10, and daughter Carys, 8, checked in to Silver Hill Hospital, a mental-health facility in New Canaan, Conn.

Shaken by Douglas’s battle with throat cancer, Zeta-Jones was privately struggling, a friend says. As Douglas recovered, Zeta-Jones didn’t – and with her new movie, the romantic comedy Playing the Field, slated to start shooting in Louisiana, the actress realized she needed help in the face of mounting depression.

“The simple things would just seem overwhelming, like going out to dinner,” says the close friend. “There was just a little piece of her chipped away. It was hard to watch because I knew how hard she was trying.”

Do you ever get the feeling like you’ve got a little of everything? I swear – if the definition of being bipolar is “prolonged periods of depression alternating with episodes of mild mania” then I’ve definitely got it! Who doesn’t? I also think I may have ADHD as well, because I also have “a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination”. Do you think our society is quick to “diagnose”!? I mean everyone I know has a bit of the crazies. Doesn’t everyone have bouts of depression? If you don’t, lie to me.

Either way – good for Catherine coming forward and admitting she’s struggling with bipolar disorder. After dealing with the cancer of her husband, it makes perfect sense. I think anyone would struggle with all that stress!

Catherine had checked herself into a mental health facility, and apparently she stayed less than a week (that’s all it takes?).

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The 29-year-old singer stepped out in Paris last night with her new, blonde hair! Beyonce and husband Jay-Z stopped by the Champs Elysees area for dinner in Paris.

Maybe they’re celebrating their wedding a little late? On April 4th, the couple celebrated three years of marriage, but they’ve been together for nine!

Fans got a sneak peek at Beyonce’s new song, “Girls (Who Rule The World)” when the song was leaked online.

Beyonce had hired 200 backing dancers for the shoot and the track is described as a ‘stomping club banger’ and somewhat of a female anthem.

It will be the first song from her as-yet-titled new album, the follow-up to 2008′s I Am… Sasha Fierce.

Beyonce is gearing up to release her fourth solo album in June after playing a selection of tracks to record executives last month.

Sony Music Australia executive Denis Handlin enthused: ‘It was just amazing. She came in and played us six tracks from the album.

‘She wants to do a big tour off the back of this record… These songs, the best description I can give is groundbreaking; she’s gone to another level.’

Also this year, Beyonce is expected to film her role as Esther Hoffman in a remake of A Star Is Born, with Clint Eastwood directing.

Photos: Fame, Source

Ben Affleck has pulled out of a star-studded remake of the classic movie ‘The Great Gatsby’. The actor was forced to pull out due to scheduling conflicts. Just yesterday it was reported that Isla Fisher had been in talks to play his onscreen love, Myrtle, the woman with whom Tom Buchanan, the socialite Ben was set to play – has an affair.

Instead of taking the supporting role in “Gatsby,” Affleck will direct “Argo,” a thriller about the Iranian hostage crisis and the CIA’s extensive efforts to free the American diplomats being held captive. Based on an article from Wired Magazine, it will be Affleck’s third directorial effort; he’s hot off the success of 2010′s “The Town.”

Affleck couldn’t manage to do both “Gatsby” and “Argo,” as Luhrmann has chosen to film the New York-set F. Scott Fitzgerald story in Australia. Making the trip, down under, is a still star-heavy cast. Leonardo DiCaprio is headlining as Jay Gatsby, the mysterious millionaire, starring alongside Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, the book’s narrator and protagonist. Carey Mulligan will take on Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan’s wife.

Luhrmann may have a ready-made star replacement: Bradley Cooper has already publicly expressed interest in the role.

“To me, he’s the best character in the book. He’s so complicated,” Cooper told the New York Times. “He’s xenophobic, he’s an alcoholic, but he also understands some profound stuff about class. Whoever plays it has to take a gentle hand, because it could so easily be stock, where he’s a rich jerk you don’t identify with at all.”

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And she just keeps on going and going and going!

Reality princess Lauren Conrad is at it again. Not only is LC the current cover model for Allure magazine, but the style guru has just launched her very own style website: TheBeautyDepartment.com

The website is a collaboration with her personal hair stylist and makeup artist.

The 25-year-old is well on her way to becoming quite the style mogul: She has two clothing lines LC Lauren Conrad, which is sold at Kohl’s, and Paper Crown, which began rolling out to buyers this February, plus she’s worked with the cosmetic brand mark and has a three-book contract and the New York Times-bestseller stamp of approval. Do any Google search and you’ll see countless articles turn up about her signature look: black winged eyeliner, flowing tresses and a California-chic wardrobe. And since the star released her own book Lauren Conrad Style last fall, she, along with beauty entourage Kristen Ess and Amy Nadine, will have plenty of material to work with.

Check out the site — it’s pretty fabulous! The website’s “About Us” page reads:

We are so excited to be launching thebeautydepartment.com! This is a site for anyone who’s ever had a beauty question or gotten into a fight with a hair brush and lost. We’ll be covering all kinds of hair+makeup how-to’s, nail trends, skin issues, tools, current obsessions & inspirations, as well as countless quick tips. In the process we are truly excited to get to know all of you! We want  to read your emails and we want you to participate in our voting polls so we can figure out exactly what you need! We want to make beauty as accessible as possible. We’re releasing new things every day including videos, printable photo tutorials and exclusive images of our lovely Lauren Conrad. Don’t forget to bookmark thebeautydepartment.com and check back every day for your daily dose of pretty!

LC has always been my favorite out of all of the stars from ‘The Hills’… she’s always up to something, whether it’s mastering fashion, glamming up her beauty, hosting events, writing books… and chasing boys (lol)…

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Our love goes out to Gary Busey. Gary’s 1-year-old son is currently being hospitalized for a “childhood illness,” TMZ has confirmed with the actor’s publicist.

The publicist wouldn’t get into specifics, but insists little Luke is expected to be back at home with Gary and Gary’s fiancee Steffanie Sampson by the end of the week.

Busey’s rep adds, “Gary is very grateful to his fans for their love and support. Steffanie and Gary thank everyone for their get well prayers for Luke.”

I hope everything goes well with Luke!

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Yes, that’s right! Not one, but TWO nurseries for Mariah Carey, of course!

As you already know, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are having twins, and they plan on raising them on both coasts. Mariah and Nick have built a glammed-out nursery in their Bel-Air, Calif., estate… and another in their NYC apartment.

“I wanted to create a beautiful, tranquil, cozy environment for the babies,” Mariah tells Life & Style in an exclusive interview. “Everything matches, but pieces are individualized to celebrate the twins as separate entities.”

And instead of doing the traditional pink and blue, Mariah and Nick have accented their nurseries with side-by-side pink and green cribs.

But what does Mariah love the most about the babies’ new rooms? The ceiling studded with clouds and gold stars!

“The ceiling has orangey-pink clouds in a blue sky with golden stars twinkling. It’s based on two songs I wrote that are fan favorites: ‘Underneath the Stars’ and ‘Close My Eyes,’” Mariah tells Life & Style. “Sometimes I just sit in the nursery and stare at the ceiling because I love it so much. To me, it symbolizes wanting my children to dream as big as possible and to let their imaginations be unbridled.” Mariah also incorporated her favorite winged insects, butterflies, into the nursery and super-soft stuffed-animal lambs, what the singer endearingly calls her fans.

This Friday, pick up the newest issue of Life & Style and see photos of the new nurseries… and read about how Mariah and Nick plan on raising their kids!

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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actress Ellen Pompeo makes her way out of a local gym in Los Angeles, California on today (April 19) with a Starbucks coffee in hand.

Exercise and caffeine = The key to keeping up and staying in shape!

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